Corner piece for a frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to corner pieces which are incorporated in a frame for securing and displaying a work of art. The corner piece is adapted to be disposed between adjacent frame members thereby allowing a frame builder to adjust the dimensional allowance of the frame opening once the frame members are cut. The corner piece includes a body member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and a lip portion. The upper surface of the corner piece substantially corresponds to the configuration of the adjacently disposed frame members. The lip portion of the corner piece is adapted to overlay a portion of the work of art disposed within the confines of the frame. The corner piece may be provided with one or more slots disposed in the lower surface of the body member adapted to receive a connector for stabilizing the corner piece between the adjacently disposed frame members of the frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.10/624,584, filed Jul. 22, 2003; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 10/011,703, filed Dec. 4, 2001, now abandoned; which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/450,039, filed Nov. 29, 1999, nowabandoned, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a frame and, moreparticularly, to corner pieces of a frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Frames which are adapted to secure and display artwork, such aspaintings, photographs, prints or other similar items, are well known inthe art. Frames are generally constructed of three or more frame memberswhich, when attached, form an opening for the installation and displayof artwork. Frame assembly is typically accomplished by joining themitered ends of the frame members, where relatively smooth andcontinuous miter joints are formed.

[0004] In the area of the frame opening, where artwork is to bereceived, a slight allowance of additional space is provided toaccommodate for installation of the artwork. To create such an allowanceof additional space in the frame opening, frame members are typicallycut slightly longer than the respective sides of the artwork to bebordered. This process requires the step of factoring an allowance whenframe members are being cut.

[0005] There are numerous problems encountered in the field of framingthat relate to the slight dimensional disparities between the frameopening and the size of the artwork to be framed. Frame members areoften cut too short for an assembled frame to provide an opening havingsufficient clearance for proper fitting of the artwork. Such situationsare frequently related to measuring and/or cutting mistakes.Additionally, the mitered ends of the frame members are oftenmisaligned, causing an improper fit of the artwork in the opening of theframe.

[0006] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for corner pieces fora frame that permits a frame builder to adjust the dimensional allowanceof the frame opening once the frame members are cut. To facilitate theframing process, it is also desirable to incorporate dimensionalallowances via corner pieces. The corner pieces incorporated into theframe would eliminate the procedural step of adding allowances to theframe members and thereby reduce the potential for measuring or cuttingmistakes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a corner portion of a frame havingone embodiment of a corner piece constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the cornerportion of the frame having the corner piece of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the corner portion of the framehaving the corner piece of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the corner piece of FIGS.1-3.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a corner portion of a frame havinganother embodiment of a corner piece constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the cornerportion of the frame having the corner piece of FIG. 5.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the corner portion of the framehaving the corner piece of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a first member of the cornerpiece of FIGS. 5-7.

[0015]FIG. 8A is a bottom plan view of the first member of the cornerpiece of FIG. 8.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a second member of the cornerpiece of FIGS. 5-7.

[0017]FIG. 9A is a bottom plan view of the second member of the cornerpiece of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1,shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10 is acorner portion of a frame 12. The corner portion 10 of the frame 12includes a corner piece 14 disposed between a first frame member 16 anda second frame member 18.

[0019] The corner portion 10 of the frame 12 is shown as having a 90degree angle between the first frame member 16 and the second framemember 18. Thus, the frame 12 will have a substantially square-shape orrectangular configuration. It will be understood, however, that thecorner portion 10 of the frame 12 may form an acute angle or an obtuseangle so long as the frame 12 is capable of securing a frameable object,such as a photograph, work of art, or the like, within the confines ofthe frame 12. Thus, the shape of the frame 12 is not limited to arectangle or square, and the shape of the frame 12 may be, by way ofexample but not by way of limitation, triangular, hexagonal or anypolygonal shape corresponding to the shape of the frameable object.

[0020] The first frame member 16 and the second frame member 18 aresubstantially identical in cross-sectional configuration, constructionand function, with the exception that the first frame member 16 and thesecond frame member 18 may vary in length depending upon theconfiguration of the frame 12. The first frame member 16 and the secondframe member 18 may be constructed of any suitable material thatprovides sufficient rigidity to the frame 12 to secure the frameableobject within the confines of the frame 12. For example, the first framemember 16 and the second frame member 18 may be constructed of wood,metal, plastic, laminate, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the first frame member 16 has adecorative moulding or upper surface 20, a bottom surface 22, a firstend portion 24, and a second end portion (not shown). The decorativemoulding surface 20 of the first frame member 16 extends lengthwisealong the first frame member 16 from the first end portion 24 to thesecond end portion (not shown). The decorative moulding surface 20 ofthe first frame member 16 is shown as having a rounded surface; however,the decorative moulding surface 20 of the first frame member 16 may haveany configuration including a flattened shape or a variety of ridges fordecorative effect.

[0022] The first frame member 16 is provided with a lip portion 26extending along an inwardly disposed side 28 of the first frame member16 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The lip portion 26 of the first frame member 16 maybe fabricated by milling or any comparable forming technique. The lipportion 26 includes a lower surface 27 and may be of any configuration,provided that the lip portion 26 is adapted to extend over a portion ofthe outer edge of the frameable object.

[0023] The second frame member 18 also has a decorative moulding orupper surface 32, a bottom surface 34, a first end portion (not shown),and a second end portion 36. The decorative moulding surface 32 of thesecond frame member 18 extends lengthwise along the second frame member18 from the first end portion (not shown) to the second end portion 36.The decorative moulding surface 32 of the second frame member 18 isshown as having a rounded configuration; however, the decorativemoulding surface 32 of the second frame member 18 may have anyconfiguration including a flattened shape or a variety of ridges fordecorative effect.

[0024] The second frame member 18 is provided with a lip portion 38extending along an inwardly disposed side 40 of the second frame member18 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The lip portion 38 of the second frame member 18 maybe fabricated by milling or any comparable forming technique. The lipportion 38 includes a lower surface 39 and may be of any configuration,provided that the lip portion 38 is adapted to extend over a portion ofthe outer edge of the frameable object disposed within the confines ofthe frame 12.

[0025] The first end portion 24 and the second end portion (not shown)of the first frame member 16, as well as the first end portion (notshown) and the second end portion 36 of the second frame member 18, arepreferably miter cut and then joined such that the corner piece 14 isdisposed between the adjacent first and second end portions 24 and 36 ofthe first and second frame members 16 and 18. The miter cut can beformed by a power miter saw, a table saw, a miter box, or any cuttingdevice that is angularly adjustable with respect to the first and secondframe member 16 and 18. It will be understood by a person of ordinaryskill in the art that equipment and devices for forming a miter cut arecommercially available, and are well known to a person of ordinary skillin the art. Therefore, further discussion of the construction of framemembers, for example the first frame member 16 and the second framemember 18 as described herein, is not deemed necessary.

[0026] Referring more specifically to FIG. 4, the corner piece 14 whichis disposed between the first end portion 24 of the first frame member16 and the second end portion 36 of the second frame member 18, includesa body member 44 having an upper surface 46, a lower surface 48, a firstend 50, a second end 52, and a lip portion 54. The upper surface 46 andthe lower surface 48 of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14 arepreferably shaped to substantially correspond to the configuration ofboth the first end portion 24 of the adjacently disposed first framemember 16 and the second end portion 36 of the adjacently disposedsecond frame member 18. However, the shape of the body member 44 of thecorner piece 14 may be distinctly modified for decorative and/orfunctional effect.

[0027] The corner piece 14 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat is compatible, both decoratively and functionally, with theadjacently disposed first frame member 16 and the adjacently disposedsecond frame member 18. For example, the corner piece 14 may beconstructed of wood, metal, plastic, laminate, or combinations thereof.

[0028] The body member 44 of the corner piece 14 is shown as having afirst slot 56 and a second slot 58 formed along the lower surface 48thereof. The first slot 56 and the second slot 58 extend inwardly apredetermined distance into the body member 44 to receive a connector60. While the body member 44 has been shown to have two slots, it shouldbe understood that the body member may include one slot or more than twoslots which function to receive the connector 60. The connector 60 maybe a substantially v-shape connector, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, ormay be a staple, or any other type of connector capable of beingdisposed in the first and second slot 56 and 58 so long as the connector60 tethers the adjacently disposed first frame member 16 to theadjacently disposed second frame member 18 thereby stabilizing thecorner piece 14 without splitting the corner piece 14 when the cornerpiece 14 is fabricated of a material susceptible to splitting, such aswood. That is, the corner piece 14 may be constructed without the firstand second slot 56 and 58 when the corner piece 14 is fabricated from amaterial which is not susceptible to splitting or fracturing when africtionally engaged connector is installed. For example, the cornerpiece 14 may be produced from a compressible polymeric material, such aspolystyrene, which accepts stress induced by the connector 60 withoutsplitting; therefore, no slots would be necessary. Furthermore, while itis shown that the lower surface 48 of the body member 44 of the cornerpiece 14 is shaped to correspond to the bottom surface 22 and 34 of theadjacently disposed first and second frame member 16 and 18, it shouldbe understood that the lower surface 48 of the body member 44 of thecorner piece 14 may have a configuration different from that of thebottom surface 22 and 34 of the adjacently disposed first and secondframe member 16 and 18.

[0029] The upper surface 46 of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14cooperates with the first end 50 of the body member 44 of the cornerpiece 14 to define the lip portion 54. The lip portion 54 of the bodymember 44 of the corner piece 14 includes a lower surface 62 whichoverlays a portion of the corner of the frameable object disposed withinthe confines of frame 12. The lip portion 54 extends inwardly toward thesecond end 52 of the body member 44 a predetermined distance to permitthe lip portion 54 of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14 tooverlay a portion of the corner of the frameable object disposed withinthe confines of the frame 12. In an assembled condition the lowersurface 62 of the lip portion 54 of the corner piece 14 is preferablyaligned with the lower surface 27 of the lip portion 26 of the firstframe member 16 and the lower surface 39 of the lip portion 38 of thesecond frame member 18.

[0030] The body member 44 of the corner piece 14 further includes afirst side 64 and a second side 66. The first side 64 of the body member44 abuts the first end portion 24 of the first frame member 16 and thesecond side 66 of the body member 44 abuts the second end portion 36 ofthe second frame member 18. The first side 64 and the second side 66 ofthe body member 44 of the corner piece 14 are preferably planar;however, the first side 64 and the second side 66 may be non-planar ormay have splines, so long as the adjacently disposed first frame member16 can be tethered to the adjacently disposed second frame member 18 viathe connector 60 thereby stabilizing the corner piece 14. An adhesivemay be applied to at least a portion of the first side 64 and the secondside 66 of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14 prior topositioning the corner piece 14 adjacent the first frame member 16 andthe second frame member 18 and tethering same via the connector 60.

[0031] The length between the first end 50 and the second end 52 of thebody member 44 of the corner piece 14 is preferably greater than thecross-sectional width of the adjacently disposed first frame member 16and the adjacently disposed second frame member 18 by a factor of aboutthe square root of two. Thus, the length between the first end 50 andthe second end 52 of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14substantially corresponds with the width of the first end portion 24 ofthe adjacently disposed first frame member 16 at the forty-five degreemiter cut angle and the width of the second end portion 36 of theadjacently disposed second frame member 18 at the forty-five degreemiter cut angle. It should be understood, however, that the lengthbetween the first end 50 and the second end 52 of the body member 44 ofthe corner piece 14 may be greater than or less than the width of theadjacently disposed first frame member 16 and the adjacently disposedsecond frame member 18 by any factor to correspond with a variety ofmiter cut angles of the first end portion 24 of the first frame member16 and the second end portion 36 of the second frame member 18.

[0032] Furthermore, the distance between the first side 64 and thesecond side 66 of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14 may vary toaccommodate different dimensional spacing between the adjacentlydisposed first frame member 16 and the adjacently disposed second framemember 18. The first side 64 and the second side 66 of the body member44 of the corner piece 14 preferably remain substantially parallel withone another regardless of the change in distance between same. However,the distance between the first side 64 and the second side 66 of thebody member 44 of the corner piece 14 may vary from the first end 50 tothe second end 52 of the body member 44. This change in distance betweenthe first side 64 and the second side 66 of the body member 44 permits avariety of angles to be formed between the first frame member 16 and thesecond frame member 18 when adjoined to form the frame 12.

[0033] The method for assembling the frame 12 utilizing the corner piece14 includes providing the first frame member 16 and the second framemember 18 and disposing the corner piece 14 between the first framemember 16 and the second frame member 18 such that the first end portion24 of the first frame member 16 is disposed adjacent the first side 64of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14 and the second end portion36 of the second frame member 18 is disposed adjacent the second side 66of the body member 44 of the corner piece 14. The above steps may berepeated for a plurality of frame members and a plurality of cornerpieces depending on the configuration of the frame 12. The corner piece14 is stabilized between the adjacently disposed first frame member 16and the adjacently disposed second frame member 18 by inserting aconnector 60, such as the substantially v-shape connector, in the firstslot 56 and the second slot 58 of each corner piece 14. It should beunderstood that the corner piece 14 may also be adhesively connected tothe adjacently disposed first frame member 16 and the adjacentlydisposed second frame member 18 prior to tethering the first framemember 16 and the second frame member 18 to one another via theconnector 60. The method further includes the steps of installing theframeable object in the frame 12 wherein the lip portion 54 of the bodymember 44 of each corner piece 14 overlays the corresponding portion ofthe corner of the frameable object.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, shown therein and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 70 is another embodiment of a corner portionof a frame 72, which is substantially similar in function to the cornerportion 10 of the frame 12 of FIGS. 1-3. The corner portion 70 of theframe 72 has a corner piece 74 formed of a first member 76 and a secondmember 77.

[0035] The corner portion 70 of the frame 72 further includes a firstframe member 78 and a second frame member 79. The first frame member 78has a decorative moulding or upper surface 124, a bottom surface 126, afirst end portion 128, and a second end portion (not shown). The firstframe member 78 is further provided with a lip portion 130 extendingalong an inwardly disposed side 132 of the first frame member 78. Thelip portion 130 of the first frame member 78 includes a lower surface134 adapted to extend over a portion of the outer edge of the frameableobject disposed within the confines of the frame 72. The second framemember 79 also has a decorative moulding or upper surface 136, a bottomsurface 138, a first end portion (not shown), and a second end portion140. The second frame member 79 is further provided with a lip portion142 extending along an inwardly disposed side 144 of the second framemember 79. The lip portion 142 of the second frame member 79 includes alower surface 146 adapted to extend over a portion of the outer edge ofthe frameable object disposed within the confines of the frame 72. Thefirst frame member 78 and the second frame member 79 are substantiallyidentical in cross-sectional configuration, construction and function tothe first frame member 16 and the second frame member 18, respectively,hereinbefore described.

[0036] The corner piece 74 may be constructed of any suitable materialthat is compatible, both decoratively and functionally, with theadjacently disposed first frame member 78 and the adjacently disposedsecond frame member 79. For example, the corner piece 74 may beconstructed of wood, metal, plastic, laminate, or combinations thereof.

[0037] To increase the dimensional allowance of a proposed frame oncethe frame members are cut, the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 isadjacently disposed between the first end portion 128 of the first framemember 78 and the second member 77 of the corner piece 74, and thesecond member 77 of the corner piece 74 is adjacently disposed betweenthe second end portion 140 of the second frame member 79 and the firstmember 76 of the corner piece 74.

[0038] Referring more particularly to FIG. 8 and FIG. 8A, the firstmember 76 of the corner piece 74 includes a body member 80 having anupper surface 82, a lower surface 84, a first end 86, a second end 88,and a lip portion 90.

[0039] The upper surface 82 of the body member 80 of the first member 76of the corner piece 74 is shown to have a rounded configuration so thatthe upper surface 82 of the body member 80 of the first member 76substantially corresponds to the configuration of the decorativemoulding surface 124 of the adjacently disposed first frame member 78and the configuration of the decorative moulding surface 136 of thesecond frame member 79.

[0040] The body member 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74includes a slot 92 extending inwardly a predetermined distance from thelower surface 84. The slot 92 is shown to be angularly disposed in thebody member 80 of the first member 76 for reasons which will bedescribed in detail hereinafter. The lower surface 84 of the body member80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 is preferably shaped tocorrespond to the bottom surface 126 of the adjacently disposed firstframe member 78 and the bottom surface 138 of the second frame member79.

[0041] The upper surface 82 cooperates with the first end 86 of the bodymember 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 to define thelip portion 90. The lip portion 90 of the body member 80 of the firstmember 76 of the corner piece 74 includes a lower surface 94 adapted toextend over a portion of the corner of the frameable object disposedwithin the confines of the frame 72. The lip portion 90 of the bodymember 80 of the first member 76 extends inwardly towards the second end88 of the body member 80 of the first member 76 a distance to permit thelip portion 90 of the body member 80 of the first member 76 of thecorner piece 74 to overlay a portion of the corner of the frameableobject disposed within the confines of the frame 72.

[0042] The length between the first end 86 and the second end 88 of thebody member 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 ispreferably greater than the cross-sectional width of the adjacentlydisposed first frame member 78 by a factor of about the square root oftwo. Thus, the length between the first end 86 and the second end 88 ofthe body member 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74substantially corresponds with the width of the first end portion 128 ofthe adjacently disposed first frame member 78 at about the forty-fivedegree miter cut angle.

[0043] Referring more particularly to FIG. 9 and FIG. 9A, the secondmember 77 of the corner piece 74 includes a body member 98 having anupper surface 100, a lower surface 102, a first end 104, a second end106, and a lip portion 108.

[0044] The upper surface 100 of the body member 98 of the second member77 of the corner piece 74 is shown to have a rounded configuration sothat the upper surface 100 of the body member 98 of the second member 77substantially corresponds to the configuration of the decorativemoulding surface 136 of the adjacently disposed second frame member 79and the configuration of the decorative moulding surface 124 of thefirst frame member 78.

[0045] The body member 98 of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74includes a slot 110 extending inwardly a predetermined distance from thelower surface 102. The slot 110 is shown to be angularly disposed in thebody member 98 of the second member 77. In an assembled condition, theangularly disposed slot 110 of the second member 77 and the angularlydisposed slot 92 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 functionto receive the connector 60 thereby tethering the second frame member 79to the first frame member 78 without splitting the first member 76 andthe second member 77 of the corner piece 74 when the corner piece 74 isfabricated of a material susceptible to splitting, such as wood. Thatis, the first member 76 and the second member 77 of the corner piece 74may be constructed without the angularly disposed slot 92 and theangularly disposed slot 110 when the first and second member 76 and 77of the corner piece 14 are fabricated from a material which is notsusceptible to splitting or fracturing when a frictionally engagedconnector is installed. For example, the first member 76 and the secondmember 77 of the corner piece 74 may be produced from a compressiblepolymeric material, such as polystyrene, which accepts stress induced bythe connector 60 without splitting; therefore, no slots would benecessary. The angularly disposed slot 110 of the second member 77preferably cooperates with the angularly disposed slot 92 of the firstmember 76 of the corner piece 74 to provide a substantially v-shapeconfiguration which substantially corresponds with the connector 60.However, it should be understood that the configuration of the slot 110of the second member 77 and the slot 92 of the first member 76 maycooperate to provide any configuration such that the connector 60 iscapable of stabilizing the corner piece 74 relative to the adjacentlydisposed first frame member 78 and the adjacently disposed second framemember 79. Furthermore, the lower surface 102 of the body member 98 ofthe second member 77 of the corner piece 74 is preferably shaped tocorrespond to the bottom surface 138 of the adjacently disposed secondframe member 79 and the bottom surface 126 of the first frame member 78.

[0046] The upper surface 100 cooperates with the first end 104 of thebody member 98 of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74 to definethe lip portion 108. The lip portion 108 of the body member 98 of thesecond member 77 of the corner piece 74 includes a lower surface 112adapted to extend over a portion of the corner of the frameable objectwithin the confines of the frame 72. The lip portion 108 of the bodymember 98 of the second member 77 extends inwardly a distance to permitthe lip portion 108 of the body member 98 of the second member 77 of thecorner piece 74 to overlay a portion of the corner of the frameableobject disposed within the confines of the frame 72. The lip portion 108of the body member 98 of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74 issized and shaped to correspond with the lip portion 90 of the bodymember 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 such that aportion of the corner of the frameable object can be overlayed by thecorner piece 74. In an assembled condition the lower surface 94 of thelip portion 90 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 ispreferably aligned with the lower surface 112 of the lip portion 108 ofthe second member 77 of the corner piece 74, which is also preferablyaligned with the lower surface 134 of the lip portion 130 of the firstframe member 78 and the lower surface 146 of the lip portion 142 of thesecond frame member 79.

[0047] The length between the first end 104 and the second end 106 ofthe body member 98 of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74 ispreferably greater than the cross-sectional width of the adjacentlydisposed second frame member 79 by a factor of about the square root oftwo. Thus, the length between the first end 104 and the second end 106of the body member 98 of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74substantially corresponds with the width of the second end portion 140of the adjacently disposed second frame member 79 at about theforty-five degree miter cut angle.

[0048] The body member 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74further includes a first side 116 and a second side 118. Similarly, thebody member 98 of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74 includes afirst side 120 and a second side 122. The first side 116 of the bodymember 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 abuts the firstend portion 128 of the first frame member 78 and the second side 118 ofthe body member 80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 abutsthe first side 120 of the body member 98 of the second member 77 of thecorner piece 74. The second side 122 of the body member 98 of the secondmember 77 of the corner piece 74 abuts the second end portion 140 of thesecond frame member 79. An adhesive may be applied to at least a portionof the first side 116 and the second side 118 of the body member 80 ofthe first member 76 of the corner piece 74, as well as a portion of thefirst side 120 and the second side 122 of the body member 98 of thesecond member 77 of the corner piece 74 prior to positioning the cornerpiece 74 adjacent the first frame member 78 and the second frame member79 and tethering same via the connector 60.

[0049] The method for constructing the frame 72 includes providing thefirst frame member 78 and the second frame member 79, as describedherein, and adjacently disposing the corner piece 74, as describedherein, between the first frame member 78 and the second frame member 79such that the first end portion 128 of the first frame member 78 isdisposed adjacent the first side 116 of the body member 80 of the firstmember 76 of the corner piece 74, the second side 118 of the body member80 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 is disposed adjacentthe first side 120 of the body member 98 of the second member 77 of thecorner piece 74, and the second end portion 140 of the second framemember 79 is disposed adjacent the second side 122 of the body member 98of the second member 77 of the corner piece 74. The above steps may berepeated for a plurality of frame members and a plurality of cornerpieces depending on the configuration of the frame 72. The corner piece74 is stabilized between the adjacently disposed first frame member 78and the adjacently disposed second frame member 79 by inserting aconnector 60, such as the substantially v-shape connector, in the slot92 of the first member 76 of the corner piece 74 and in the slot 110 ofthe second member 77 of the corner piece 74. It should be understoodthat the corner piece 74 may be glued to the adjacently disposed firstframe member 78 and the adjacently disposed second frame member 79 priorto tethering the first frame member 78 to the second frame member 79 toone another via the connector 60. The method further includes the stepsof installing the frameable object in the frame 72 wherein the lipportion 90 of the first member 76 and the lip portion 108 of the secondmember 77 of the corner piece 74 overlays the corresponding corner ofthe frameable object and assists in retaining the frameable objectwithin the confines of the frame 72.

[0050] Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of thevarious components, elements and assemblies described herein or in thesteps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

1. A corner piece for a frame, the corner piece comprising: a bodymember having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a secondend, and a lip portion, wherein the upper surface of the body memberextending between the first end and the second end and substantiallycorresponding to the configuration of a decorative moulding surface ofadjacently disposed frame members of the frame, and the lip portion isformed in the first end of the body member so as to extend inwardly adistance sufficient to permit the lip portion of the body member tooverlay a portion of the corner of a frameable object.
 2. The cornerpiece for the frame of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the bodymember is provided with at least one slot disposed therein, the at leastone slot adapted to receive a connector for stabilizing the corner piecebetween adjacently disposed frame members of the frame.
 3. The cornerpiece for the frame of claim 1, wherein the body member of the cornerpiece is further characterized as having a first side and a second sideand wherein the frame is provided with a plurality of adjacentlydisposed frame members, a first frame member having a first end portionadapted to abut the first side of the body member of the corner piece,and a second frame member having a second end portion adapted to abutthe second side of the body member of the corner piece such that thebody member of the corner piece is disposed between the first framemember and the second frame member.
 4. The corner piece for the frame ofclaim 1, wherein the length between the first end and the second end ofthe body member is greater than the cross-sectional width of adjacentlydisposed frame members of the frame by a factor of about the square rootof two.
 5. A corner piece for a frame, wherein the frame includes aplurality of frame members, each frame member having a first end portionand a second end portion, and wherein the corner piece comprises: a bodymember having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a secondend, a first side, a second side, and a lip portion, wherein the lipportion is formed in the first end of the body member so as to extendinwardly a distance sufficient to permit the lip portion of the bodymember to overlay a portion of the corner of a frameable object, andwherein the first side and the second side of the body member areadapted to abut the first end portion and the second end portion ofadjacently disposed frame members such that the body member of thecorner piece is adjacently disposed between the frame members.
 6. Thecorner piece for the frame of claim 5, wherein the lower surface of thebody member is provided with at least one slot disposed therein, the atleast one slot adapted to receive a connector for stabilizing the cornerpiece between adjacently disposed frame members of the frame.
 7. Thecorner piece for the frame of claim 5, wherein the length between thefirst end and the second end of the body member is greater than thecross-sectional width of adjacently disposed frame members of the frameby a factor of about the square root of two.
 8. The corner piece for theframe of claim 5, wherein the first side and the second side of the bodymember are substantially parallel to one another.
 9. The corner piecefor the frame of claim 5, wherein the first side and the second side ofthe body member are substantially planar.
 10. The corner piece for theframe of claim 5, wherein the corner piece is provided with a decorativefinish different from a decorative finish of the adjacently disposedframe members.
 11. A corner piece for a frame, the corner piececomprising: a first member and a second member, wherein the first memberincludes a body member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a firstend, a second end, and a lip portion, and wherein the upper surface ofthe body member of the first member substantially corresponds to theconfiguration of a decorative moulding surface of adjacently disposedframe members of the frame, the lower surface of the body member of thefirst member is provided with at least one angularly disposed slotdisposed therein, the at least one angularly disposed slot being adaptedto receive a connector for stabilizing the corner piece betweenadjacently disposed frame members of the frame, and the lip portion isformed in the first end of the body member of the first member so as toextend inwardly a distance sufficient to permit the lip portion of thebody member of the first member to overlay a portion of the corner of aframeable object, the second member includes a body member having anupper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and a lipportion, and wherein the upper surface of the body member of the secondmember substantially corresponds to the configuration of the decorativemoulding surface of adjacently disposed frame members of the frame, thelower surface of the body member of the second member is provided withat least one angularly disposed slot disposed therein, the at least oneangularly disposed slot being adapted to receive a connector forstabilizing the corner piece between adjacently disposed frame membersof the frame, and the lip portion is formed in the first end of the bodymember of the second member so as to extend inwardly a distancesufficient to permit the lip portion of the body member of the secondmember to overlay a portion of the corner of the frameable object. 12.The corner piece for the frame of claim 11, wherein the length betweenthe first end and the second end of the body member of the first memberand the length between the first end and the second end of the bodymember of the second member is greater than the cross-sectional width ofadjacently disposed frame members of the frame by a factor of about thesquare root of two.
 13. A corner piece for a frame, wherein the frameincludes a plurality of frame members, each frame member having a firstend portion and a second end portion, and wherein the corner piececomprises: a first member and a second member, wherein the first memberincludes a body member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a firstend, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a lip portion,wherein the lip portion is formed in the first end of the body member ofthe first member so as to extend inwardly a distance sufficient topermit the lip portion of the body member of the first member to overlaya portion of the corner of a frameable object, the second memberincludes a body member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a firstend, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a lip portion,wherein the lip portion is formed in the first end of the body member ofthe second member so as to extend inwardly a distance sufficient topermit the lip portion of the body member of the second member tooverlay a portion of the corner of the frameable object, and the firstside of the body member of the first member being adapted to abut thefirst end portion of adjacently disposed frame member and the secondside of the body member of the first member being adapted to abut thefirst side of the body member of the second member, and the second sideof the body member of the second member being adapted to abut the secondend portion of adjacently disposed frame member and the first side ofthe body member of the second member being adapted to abut the secondside of the body member of the first member.
 14. The corner piece forthe frame of claim 13, wherein the lower surface of the body member ofthe first member is provided with at least one angularly disposed slotdisposed therein, the at least one angularly disposed slot being adaptedto receive a connector for stabilizing the corner piece betweenadjacently disposed frame members of the frame, and wherein the lowersurface of the body member of the second member is provided with atleast one angularly disposed slot disposed therein, the at least oneangularly disposed slot being adapted to receive a connector forstabilizing the corner piece between adjacently disposed frame membersof the frame.
 15. The corner piece for the frame of claim 13, whereinthe length between the first end and the second end of the body memberof the first member and the length between the first end and the secondend of the body member of the second member is greater than thecross-sectional width of adjacently disposed frame members of the frameby a factor of about the square root of two.
 16. The corner piece forthe frame of claim 13, wherein the first side and the second side of thebody member of the first member are substantially parallel to oneanother, and wherein the first side and the second side of the bodymember of the second member are substantially parallel to one another.17. The corner piece for the frame of claim 13, wherein the corner pieceis provided with a decorative finish different from a decorative finishof the adjacently disposed frame members.
 18. A frame for securing aframeable object, the frame comprising: a plurality of adjacentlydisposed frame members, each frame member having a decorative mouldingsurface, a bottom surface, a first end portion, and a second end portionopposite the first end portion, a corner piece disposed betweenadjacently disposed frame members, each corner piece comprising: a bodymember having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a secondend, a lip portion, a first side, and a second side, wherein the uppersurface of the body member corresponding to the configuration of thedecorative moulding surface of adjacently disposed frame members of theframe, the lower surface of the body member having at least one slotdisposed therein, the at least one slot being adapted to receive aconnector for stabilizing the corner piece between adjacently disposedframe members of the frame, the lip portion is formed in the first endof the body member so as to extend inwardly a distance sufficient topermit the lip portion of the body member to overlay a portion of thecorner of the frameable object, and wherein the body member of thecorner piece being disposed adjacent the first end portion of anadjacently disposed first frame member and the second end portion of anadjacently disposed second frame member, the connector disposed withinthe at least one slot of the body member of the corner piece so as toextend inwardly into the adjacently disposed first frame member and theadjacently disposed second frame member.
 19. The frame of claim 7wherein the corner piece is further characterized as having a lengthbetween the first end and the second end of the body member greater thanthe cross-sectional width of adjacently disposed frame members of theframe by a factor of about the square root of two.
 20. A method forassembling a frame utilizing a corner piece, the frame securing aframeable object within the confines thereof, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a plurality of frame members, each frame memberhaving a decorative moulding surface, a bottom surface, a first endportion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion,providing a plurality of corner pieces, wherein one of the corner piecesis disposable between adjacently disposed frame members, each cornerpiece comprising: a body member having an upper surface, a lowersurface, a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and alip portion, and wherein the upper surface of the body membercorresponding to the configuration of the decorative moulding surface ofadjacently disposed frame members of the frame, the lower surface of thebody member having at least one slot disposed therein, the at least oneslot being adapted to receive a connector for stabilizing the cornerpiece between adjacently disposed frame members of the frame, the lipportion is formed in the first end of the body member so as to extendinwardly a distance sufficient to permit the lip portion of the bodymember to overlay a portion of the corner of the frameable object,disposing the first end portion of one of the frame members adjacent thefirst side of the body member of the corner piece, disposing the secondend portion of one of the frame members adjacent the second side of thebody member of the corner piece, stabilizing the corner piece betweenadjacently disposed frame members by inserting a connector in at leastone slot of the body member of the corner piece, positioning theframeable object within the frame such that the lip portion of the bodymember of the corner piece overlays a portion of the corner of theframeable object, securing the frameable object within the confines ofthe frame.
 21. The method for assembling the frame of claim 20, whereinthe step of stabilizing the corner piece between adjacently disposedframe members further includes providing an adhesive on at least one ofthe first side and the second side of the body member of the cornerpiece.